The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Friday, May 28, 2010

Progressive Democrat Newsletter Issue 261

Awhile back I discussed the kidnapping of two Current TV reporters by North Korea. Thanks to the intervention of President Bill Clinton, they were released. One of the two Current TV reporters, Laura Ling, has gone public about her experiences kidnapped by North Korean soldiers, and it is chilling. Here (after a commercial or two) is the interview by her fellow Current TV staff:

One thing I should note is that I previously expressed doubt that they violated North Korean territory (which N Korea claimed they did). It seems they DID violate North Korean territory...barely. And I wonder if their carefully selected guide was in on the incident since he was the one who seems to have taken them across the border and they on their own volition turned back...but too late.

Turning to domestic politics, the Arkansas Senate primary has gotten interesting. Bill Halter has "pulled ahead" though really it is a statistical tie. Usually in a primary when a man and woman are going head to head, polls show the woman leading among women and the man leading among men. It is reversed in this race. Bill Halter leads among women voters 51-39, while Lincoln wins among men voters 49-43. But I think Lincoln's poor performance among women voters was presaged when EMILY's List dumped her. Generally, and sometimes even illogically, EMILY's List supports women candidates over men. Not this time. Lincoln's reactionary policies soured EMILY's List and they refused to endorse her for re-election, going so far as to announce specifically that they would not endorse her for re-election. Turning to race, Halter leads heavily among blacks (58-28), Lincoln barely leads among whites (47-45).

When it comes to the general election, Lincoln vs. Boozman has Boozman winning 58-38. Lincoln almost certainly will lose, whether it is in the primary or the general is the only question. Halter vs. Boozman still leans Boozman, but Halter has a better shot than Lincoln: 42 Halter to 53 Boozman. We need Halter to win the primary to have ANY shot at winning the general is the bottom line.

Turning to Kentucky, Teabagger Rand Paul only barely leads Democrat Jack Conway. This was expected to be an easy Republican win, but only a week after Paul's big win he has been saying so many crazy things (like wanting to repeal key parts of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and has ties with so many unsavory racists, the race is shaping up to be a toss up. Polls currently show it 44 Paul to 40 Conway. We can win this one.

Finally, in Pennsylvania, Joe Sestak has pulled ahead of Republican Toomey in the Senate race. Sestak leads 43 to 40...not bad for a race that was considered a probable Republican pickup.

One of the big stories this week was the passage in the House of a bill repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell, Bill Clinton's compromise measure when Congress derailed his attempt to allow gays openly in the military. It still has to get through the Senate, but it is huge progress for equality for gays in America. Sure, it is equality for getting oneself killed for your country, but it is still one more step towards equality. The passage has not gotten as much attention as I would have expected given how many progressives criticized Obama's slow pace in fulfilling his promise to repeal DADT, but this is what Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa had to say about it:

Last night was historic. As a co-sponsor of the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, I was proud to cast my vote in favor of ending this reprehensible policy that belies our country's founding principles of equality.

I believe my colleague from Georgia, Congressman John Lewis, put it best: "I fought too hard and for too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation."

This decision is another critical step forward as we work to end discrimination against our citizens and live up to our promise as a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Thank you for your support, and as always, take care,signature

Dave

And, looking towards the Senate, the first step towards passage in the Senate was also taken this last week. Here's what Colorado Senator Mark Udall has to say about it:

Just a short time ago, the Senate Armed Services Committee took an historic vote to include the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the defense authorization bill. Several of my committee colleagues and I overcame fierce opposition to reach victory and enhance our national security.

This is a major step forward to repealing DADT. Thanks to thousands of members of the MarkUdall.com community for making this happen.

But this isn't the end. Now, we must make sure the amendment remains in the underlying defense authorization bill and is not stripped out by opponents on the Senate floor. We cannot afford to continue to dismiss brave patriots who wish to protect our nation merely because of their sexual orientation.

Now, as a bit of a sociological study, here is a video a Kossack made of a Teabagger get together. Personally the teabaggers seem rather pathetic to me.

And finally, as a contrast to the pathetic Teabaggers, here's Obama's weekly address: